BODY KIT BUYER'S GUIDE
Everything you ever wanted to know about body kits... but were afraid to ask.
BODY KIT MATERIALS GUIDE
With thousands of body kit, ground effects and aerodynamic styling options available, finding the right body kit for your needs can seem overwhelming at first. As you look around our site, you'll notice that body kits are constructed of various materials, each of which has its own distinct characteristics. Which one is best for your needs? Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each:
| | Definition | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Fiberglass |
Composite material made from extremely fine glass fibers |
| - | Low price |
| - | Light weight |
| - | Rigidity allows for more extreme styles |
|
| - | Breaks easily |
| - | Requires extra prep work for best finish |
|
| Polyurethane |
Thick, organic resin-based polymer material |
| - | Very flexible and durable |
| - | Good fitment |
|
| - | Heavy |
| - | Difficult to repair |
|
| Carbon Fiber |
Composite material made of weaved carbon filaments covered with a clear resin |
| - | Spectacular looks |
| - | Finished product-no painting required |
|
| - | Expensive |
| - | Not repairable |
|
| FRP Composite |
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer. Also known as Poly-Fiber. |
| - | Light weight |
| - | Rigidity allows for more extreme styles |
|
| - | Requires extra prep work for best finish |
|
| ABS Plastic |
Petroleum-based thermoplastic material; commonly used on factory bumpers |
|
|
The following table takes some of the guesswork out of buying the right body kit for your ride. It compares body kit materials on several important points.
| | Price | Flexibility | Durability |
Fitment | Ease of Repair | Finish | Weight |
| Fiberglass | $ | * | * |
** | *** | ** | Light |
| Polyurethane | $$$ | **** | **** |
**** | * | *** | Heavy |
| Carbon Fiber | $$$$ | * |
** |
**** |
* |
**** |
Light |
| Reinforced Fiberglass | $$ | ** | ** |
** | *** | ** | Medium |
| ABS Plastic | $$$ | *** | **** |
**** | * | **** | Light |
Please note: The ratings listed above are for general comparison purposes only. Price and features vary widely by manufacturer and style. If you have any questions, call or chat live with an SCO Tuner Pro™.
MANUFACTURERS
Now that you're armed with important information, you can choose a body kit with confidence! Here's a list of body kit manufacturers broken down by material:
| Fiberglass |
AIT Racing, Extreme Dimensions,
Buddy Club, RKSport,
Ionic Dynamics
|
|---|
| Polyurethane |
Extreme Dimensions,
Pure Polyurethane, RKSport,
Stillen
|
|---|
| Carbon Fiber |
B Magic, Carbon Creations,
Ionic Dynamics
|
|---|
| Reinforced Fiberglass |
AIT Racing, B Magic,
Extreme Dimensions, Pure Polyurethane
|
|---|
| ABS Plastic |
Razzi |
|---|
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BUYING A BODY KIT
| 1. |
When comparison shopping, be sure to compare the total price to your door. Many sellers charge boxing fees, handling fees, residential delivery fees, and other charges that can nearly double the listed price of the body kit. If you do find a better price, we'll beat it! See our 1-2-3 Guarantee page for details. |
| 2. |
Body kits and most individual body panels are shipped via truck freight, not via package delivery services like UPS or FedEx. Freight companies require a signature to prove that the shipment was delivered in good condition. They usually call 1 to 2 business days in advance to schedule delivery. When you order, be sure to provide us with the best number to reach you during business hours. |
| 3. |
When shopping for a body kit, feel free to mix and match bumpers and side skirts to create your own custom creation! In most cases, combining different components from the same manufacturer costs no more than a pre-designed body kit. Call or chat with an SCO Tuner Pro™ for details. |
| 4. |
Body kits and panels (except carbon fiber kits) are unfinished items and require preparation, sanding, priming, and painting. Many kits also require some drilling, notching, or other minor modifications. |
| 5. |
We highly recommend that you have any body styling products professionally installed by a body shop with experience installing aftermarket body kits. |
| 6. |
Be sure to have your installer test fit all pieces before modifying the products in any way. Modified products are not returnable. |
INSTALLATION TIPS FOR BODY KITS AND BODY PANELS
| For best fitment and durability, we strongly recommend that you have your body kit and/or body panels installed by a qualified body shop. Feel free to pass the following important information on to your installer to help ensure a smooth and easy installation. |
| 1. |
Fiberglass and polyurethane body components may warp slightly during shipment. This is normal and can be corrected by leaving the body kit out in the sun or in a warm room for a few hours. |
| 2. |
Your body shop should test fit all body panels on the vehicle BEFORE sanding, drilling, filling, cutting, painting, or otherwise modifying it. Parts are not returnable once modified in any way. |
| 3. |
Ask your installer to notify you of any structural modifications necessary in the installation of your body kit. |
| 4. |
Ask your installer to add a flex agent to the body kit's paint to help keep it from flaking off. This is especially important when installing polyurethane or ABS plastic bumpers. |
| 5. |
If you or your installer have any questions about fitment or installation, feel free to call our Tuner ProsT at 800-622-9541. |
If you're still hungry for more information about body kits, ground effects, and aerodynamic styling,
see what our resident guru Kid Turbo has to say on the subject. And of course, you can always chat live
with an SCO Tuner Pro™ or call us at 800-622-9541 with any body kit questions.
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